So what my hope is is that we don't lose this technological edge to a foreign country but rather that the United States become the global leader in this technology.

I would echo that. Thank you.

It was also troubling to hear you say to the chairman that you did not get help from the railroads.

It is so important for us, if we are going to shape the budget correctly, make the right policy decisions, to hear from those of you who truly are on the front lines.

That is a frustrating answer, I have to tell you.

In your work with Canadian officials, do we face special challenges because so many of these trains are crossing international boundaries?

I believe that our funding strategy must also focus on commercialization of promising technologies.

That was a program that Joe Lieberman and I authored many years ago.

The horrific derailment that occurred in Lac-Megantic, Quebec last year... brought to light the importance of ensuring the safe transportation of energy products.

I want to talk about the preparedness piece.

The President's budget proposes to eliminate FEMA's State homeland security grant program.

I am very concerned about that because it ensured that every State, even rural States, got some minimum amount.

Chairman Hersman, in your testimony you mentioned that 'some railroads' will meet the Positive Train Control (PTC) deadline.

And that is why I am so proud of our firefighters not only in Maine, but throughout the country.

I absolutely agree with you.

I am pleased today to join my friend from North Dakota, Senator Heitkamp, in introducing the School Food Modernization Act to assist schools in providing healthier meals to students throughout the country. School meals play a vital role in…

I believe that this system is seriously broken.

The circumstances under which the perpetrators of the Boston Marathon bombing came to be in the United States underscores the need for reform of our asylum process.

It takes too long to adjudicate the legitimate cases of asylum-seekers.

I support your request for additional resources, but, frankly, if those judges aren't looking at the databases... adding more judges won't solve the problem.

It was really appalling.

We need to pay careful attention to ensure the water infrastructure needs of all States are met.

I would like to thank you for the funding for the maintenance dredge for the Royal River that was announced just a few weeks ago.

Funding for the maintenance dredging is critically important to supporting these efforts.

I recently met with Maine's public housing authority directors. And to a person, they expressed concerns about the regulatory guidance from HUD.